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Dodge Viper SRT-10 (ZB). Manual - part 270

(9) Install the bolt that secures the liquid line to

the A/C condenser. Tighten the bolt to 18 N·m (13 ft.
lbs.).

(10) Install the bolt that secures the liquid line

bracket to the right inner front fender. Tighten the
bolt securely.

(11) Install the air intake ducts to the front of the

air cleaner assembly (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/AIR
INTAKE SYSTEM - INSTALLATION).

(12) Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM EVACUATE).

(13) Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM CHARGE).

REFRIGERANT

DESCRIPTION

The refrigerant used in this air conditioning sys-

tem is a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC), type R-134a.
Unlike R-12, which is a ChloroFluoroCarbon (CFC),
R-134a refrigerant does not contain ozone-depleting
chlorine. R-134a refrigerant is a non-toxic, non-flam-
mable, clear, and colorless liquefied gas.

Even though R-134a does not contain chlorine, it

must be reclaimed and recycled just like CFC-type
refrigerants. This is because R-134a is a greenhouse
gas and can contribute to global warming.

OPERATION

R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12

refrigerant in an A/C system. Even a small amount of
R-12 refrigerant added to an R-134a refrigerant sys-
tem will cause A/C compressor failure, refrigerant oil
sludge or poor A/C system performance. In addition,
the polyalkylene glycol (PAG) synthetic refrigerant
oils used in an R-134a refrigerant system are not
compatible with the mineral-based refrigerant oils
used in an R-12 refrigerant system.

R-134a refrigerant system service ports, service

tool couplers and refrigerant dispensing bottles have
all been designed with unique fittings to ensure that
an R-134a refrigerant system is not accidentally con-
taminated with the wrong refrigerant (R-12). There
are also labels posted in the engine compartment of
the vehicle and on the A/C compressor to identify
that the A/C system is equipped with R-134a refrig-
erant.

REFRIGERANT OIL

DESCRIPTION

The refrigerant oil used in R-134a refrigerant sys-

tems is a synthetic-based, polyalkylene glycol (PAG),
wax-free lubricant. Mineral-based R-12 refrigerant
oils are not compatible with PAG oils, and should
never be introduced to an R-134a refrigerant system.

There are different PAG oils available, and each

contains a different additive package. The Denso
10S17 A/C

compressor

used

this

vehicle

designed to use ND-8 PAG refrigerant oil. Use only
this type of refrigerant oil the refrigerant system.

OPERATION

After performing any refrigerant recovery or recy-

cling operation, always replenish the refrigerant sys-
tem with the same amount of the recommended
refrigerant oil as was removed. Too little refrigerant
oil can cause A/C compressor damage, and too much
can reduce A/C system performance.

PAG refrigerant oil is more hygroscopic than min-

eral oil, and will absorb any moisture it comes into
contact with, even moisture in the air. The PAG oil
container should always be kept tightly capped until
it is ready to be used. After use, recap the oil con-
tainer immediately to prevent moisture contamina-
tion.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL

When an A/C system is assembled at the factory,

all components except the A/C compressor are refrig-
erant oil free. After the refrigerant system has been
charged and operated, the refrigerant oil in the A/C
compressor is dispersed throughout the refrigerant
system. The receiver/drier, A/C evaporator, A/C con-
denser and the A/C compressor will each retain a sig-
nificant amount of the needed refrigerant oil.

It is important to have the correct amount of

refrigerant oil in the A/C system. This ensures proper
lubrication of the A/C compressor. Too little oil will
result in damage to the A/C compressor, while too
much oil will reduce the cooling capacity of the A/C
system and consequently result in higher discharge
air temperatures.

24 - 54

PLUMBING

LIQUID LINE (Continued)

CAUTION: The oil used in the Denso 10S17 A/C
compressor is ND-8 PAG R-134a refrigerant oil.
Only refrigerant oil of the same type should be
used to service the A/C system. Do not use any
other refrigerant oil. The oil container should be
kept tightly capped until it is ready for use and then
tightly capped after use to prevent contamination
from dirt and moisture. Refrigerant oil will quickly
absorb any moisture it comes in contact with,
therefore, special effort must be used to keep all
R-134a system components moisture-free. Moisture
in the refrigerant oil is very difficult to remove and
will cause a reliability problem with the A/C com-
pressor.

NOTE: Most reclaim/recycling equipment will mea-
sure the lubricant being removed during recovery.
This amount of lubricant should be added back into
the system. Refer to the reclaim/recycling equip-
ment manufacturers instructions.

It will not be necessary to check the oil level in the

A/C compressor or to add oil, unless there has been
an oil loss. An oil loss may occur due to a rupture or
leak from a refrigerant line, a connector fitting, a
component, or a component seal. If a leak occurs, add
30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the
refrigerant system after the repair has been made.
Refrigerant oil loss will be evident at the leak point
by the presence of a wet, shiny surface around the
leak.

Refrigerant oil must be added when an accumula-

tor, A/C evaporator or A/C condenser is replaced. See
the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart. When an A/C
compressor is replaced, the refrigerant oil must be
drained from the old compressor and measured.
Drain all of the refrigerant oil from the new A/C com-
pressor, then fill the new compressor with the same
amount of refrigerant oil that was drained out of the
old compressor.

REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES

COMPONENT NAME

ml.

oz.

Total System Fill

180 ml.

6.1 oz.

A/C Condenser

30 ml.

1.0 oz.

A/C Evaporator

60 ml.

2.0 oz.

Accumulator

30 ml.

1.0 oz.

A/C Compressor

Drain and measure
the oil from the old
compressor. See
text.

SERVICE PORT VALVE CORE

DESCRIPTION

Refrigerant system service ports are used to

recover, recycle, evacuate, charge and test the A/C
refrigerant system (Fig. 21). Unique sizes are used
on the two service ports for the R-134a refrigerant
system to ensure the system is not accidentally con-
taminated with R-12 refrigerant or by service equip-
ment used for R-12 refrigerant.

The high side service port is located on the liquid

line between the A/C condenser and the A/C evapora-
tor, near the front of the engine compartment. The
low side service port is located on the suction line,
near the air intake plenum at the right rear of the
engine compartment. The both the high side and low
side A/C service port valve cores are serviceable.

NOTE: The protective cap aids in service port seal-
ing and helps protects the refrigerant system from
contamination. Remember to always reinstall the
protective cap onto the service port when refriger-
ant system service is complete.

Each of the service ports has a threaded plastic

protective cap installed over it from the factory. The
service port caps are serviceable items.

Fig. 21 A/C Service Ports

1 - A/C CONDENSER
2 - HIGH SIDE SERVICE PORT
3 - LIQUID LINE
4 - SUCTION LINE
5 - LOW SIDE SERVICE PORT
6 - TO A/C COMPRESSOR
7 - BOLT

PLUMBING

24 - 55

REFRIGERANT OIL (Continued)

REMOVAL

WARNING: Refer to the applicable warnings and
cautions for this system before performing the fol-
lowing operation (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - WARNINGS) and (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
CAUTIONS). Failure to follow the warnings and cau-
tions could result in possible personal injury or
death.

(1) Remove the protective cap from the service port

(Fig. 22).

(2) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant

system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

(3) Using a Schrader-type valve core tool, remove

the valve core from the service port.

(4) Install a plug in or tape over the opened ser-

vice port(s).

INSTALLATION

(1) Lubricate the valve core with clean refrigerant

oil prior to installation. Use only refrigerant oil of the
type recommended for the A/C compressor in the
vehicle.

(2) Remove the tape or plug from the service port.

CAUTION: A valve core that is not fully seated in
the A/C service port can result in damage to the
valve during refrigerant system evacuation and
charge. Such damage may result in a loss of sys-

tem refrigerant while uncoupling the charge adapt-
ers.

(3) Using a Schrader-type valve core tool, install

and tighten the valve core into the service port(s).

(4) Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM EVACUATE).

(5) Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM CHARGE).

NOTE: The protective cap helps aid in service port
sealing and helps protects the refrigerant system
from contamination. Remember to always reinstall
the protective cap onto the service port when refrig-
erant system service is complete.

(6) Install the protective cap onto the service port.

SUCTION LINE

DESCRIPTION

The A/C suction line is serviced in two sections.

The front section connects between the accumulator
and the A/C compressor. The rear section connects
between the evaporator and the accumulator and
includes the low side service port. The suction line
has no serviceable parts except the rubber O-ring
seals and the service port valve core.

CAUTION: Use only O-ring seals specified for the
vehicle. Failure to use correct O-ring seal will cause
the refrigerant system connection to leak.

The O-ring seals used on the connections are made

from a special type of rubber not affected by R-134a
refrigerant. The O-ring seals must be replaced when-
ever the suction line is removed and installed.

If the suction line is found to be leaking or is dam-

aged, it must be replaced.

REMOVAL

Fig. 22 A/C Service Port-Typical

1 - PROTECTIVE CAP
2 - SERVICE PORT
3 - VALVE CORE

24 - 56

PLUMBING

SERVICE PORT VALVE CORE (Continued)

NOTE: The A/C suction line is serviced in two sec-
tions. The front section connects between the accu-
mulator and the A/C compressor. The rear section
connects between the evaporator and the accumu-
lator and includes the low side service port.

FRONT SECTION

(1) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant

system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

(2) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery

cable.

(3) Remove the bolt that secures the suction line

bracket to the right inner front fender (Fig. 23).

(4) Remove the bolt that secures the suction line to

the A/C compressor (Fig. 24).

(5) Disconnect the suction line from the A/C com-

pressor and remove and discard the O-ring seal.

(6) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened suc-

tion line fitting and the compressor port.

(7) Raise and support the vehicle.
(8) Remove the bolts that secure the two suction

line brackets to the front of the engine.

(9) Remove the right front wheel (Refer to 22 -

TIRES/WHEELS - REMOVAL).

(10) Remove the right inner fender splash shield

(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT WHEEL-
HOUSE SPLASH SHIELD - REMOVAL).

Fig. 23 Suction Line

1 - A/C CONDENSER
2 - HIGH SIDE SERVICE PORT
3 - LIQUID LINE
4 - SUCTION LINE
5 - LOW SIDE SERVICE PORT
6 - TO A/C COMPRESSOR
7 - BOLT

Fig. 24 Suction Line - A/C Compressor

1 - SUCTION LINE
2 - BOLT (2)
3 - A/C COMPRESSOR CLUTCH
4 - UPPER MOUNTING BOLT
5 - A/C DISCHARGE LINE
6 - LOWER MOUNTING BOLT (2)
7 - A/C COMPRESSOR
8 - UPPER MOUNTING BOLT

PLUMBING

24 - 57

SUCTION LINE (Continued)

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